Am I A Beggar, Begging?

I believe there are people out there who want to help and are able to help, so I share needs, both personal and church/ministry related. I also believe what James said in his letter, "You do not have because you do not ASK."

So it was a surprise to me to be (recently) labelled a beggar and to have my sharing of needs and requesting for assistance and donations described as begging. My initial response was, "What? Me a beggar, begging?

I began to wonder when did asking become begging and is there a difference between asking and begging. So I turned to Google and typed in 'difference between asking and begging', and lo, to my surprise, it was an often asked question!

The articles, forums and comments listed were helpful and most importantly, eye opening, especially the dictionary definitions.

It says that if I ask someone or ask for something earnestly and/or humbly, thats begging. Then I have been begging (oh no!).

It also says that if I ask especially for money or food for charity with no plans to pay back, then that's begging. If that is so, oh no, I have been begging.

So to ask earnestly and humbly for charity is termed begging. Okay, I am guilty then of begging, not asking.

But why does this sound so bad? Why do I find myself vehement.y denying within me that I have been begging? Why is begging seen as an evil to be ashamed of?

I thought I was just being open and honest in a very humble way that I needed something, and isn't it a lovely thing to know that you can share a need and you don't have to be putting up any walls about it? I guess I was wrong. 

Perhaps some people see it as a burden or a terrifying responsibility - Maggie Mae

Or maybe to beg means you are in poverty and in a pitiful situation. Those who are poor are often blamed as the creators of their personal poverty and deemed unfit to receive aid. Maybe that's why I reacted strongly. But the fact is I have begged because I am in lack and I am unable on my own find what I need.

Is it so bad to be in such a condition?

Of course, there's the 'we must not have the subsidy mentality' comment or the belief that if you want something, you must work hard to get it, pay the price and earn your right to own something. So there is no place for begging, no place for charity. It's the belief that says, "I will teach you to fish, go get your own fish."

It has been shown why sometimes teaching one how to fish is also not the solution. Sometimes before one learns to fish, he first needs to eat a fish given for free.

I have begged and many have responded. Their generous giving has helped me meet my own needs, the need of the church and also to bless others. I have also worked and sought to earn what I need.

For now I am confused. Is begging wrong? Am I a beggar? What do I do when I have a need where I need assistance? Should I suffer in silence or keep begging?